Community Service in Our DNA

Tom Tymchuck

When we read about the Northwest Public Power Association’s Paul Raver Award honoring superior community service, we knew exactly who to nominate: Tom Tymchuk.

Tom put in 34 years representing the portions of Coos and Douglas counties we serve before stepping down from Central Lincoln’s Board five months ago. He did four terms as Reedsport’s mayor, many years on the Lower Umpqua Hospital Board of Directors, and 35 years as a member of PacificSecurity Bank’s Board of Directors. Tom has been a proud member of the Reedsport Lions’ Club for 60 years, and the Reedsport Masonic Lodge for 50 years, where he is a Past Grand Master. He’s a dedicated Meals on Wheels volunteer, and donates his time at the Lower Umpqua Hospital.

The judging panel for the award agreed—Tom Tymchuk’s lifetime of service has been tremendous, and the Association surprised him with the Raver Award last month!

Keith Tymchuk

Tom’s commitment to volunteerism reflects Central Lincolns dedication to service. As a public power utility, which means “community owned,” our mission is “to provide the people of Oregon’s Central Coast with reliable and affordable electricity in the tradition of public power.” And while electricity service is our core function, we are committed to being involved and visible in the communities we serve. Our employees donate many hours to nonprofits on the Central Coast from sports activities, tutoring, and raising money to help people in need, to serving on various local boards, in service clubs, and places of worship. And we celebrate the communities we power by participating in nearly every parade on the Central Coast.

When Tom announced his intent to resign from the Central Lincoln board (“It was time,” he says) we advertised, and local news media published a news release calling for applicants. Only one person applied: Keith Tymchuk, Tom’s son. Keith has served six terms as Reedsport’s mayor, 22 years on the Port of Umpqua’s commission, and taught at his alma mater, Reedsport High School, for 34 years. “Chewing on tough decisions and then moving forward together is the stuff that makes for great boards. I’ve heard a bit about the CLPUD team,” he says with a broad smile, “and I want to be part of that.” Happy to have an applicant who also makes service a cornerstone of his life, Central Lincoln’s board members unanimously elected Keith Tymchuk. Welcome aboard, Keith!